Manchurian Walnut

Native to East Asia, primarily in the Manchurian forest region.

• Found in northeastern China (Manchuria), the Korean Peninsula, and the Russian Far East (Primorsky Krai, Amur Oblast)
• Grows in mixed deciduous forests alongside Mongolian oak, Amur cork tree, and Manchurian ash
• Found at elevations from 100 to 1,500 meters
• Adapted to the harsh continental climate of the Manchurian region, with extremely cold winters and warm summers
• The species name "mandshurica" refers to Manchuria, the region of northeastern China
• Known in Chinese as "hu tao qiu" (walnut autumn)
• In Russian, called "manchzhurskiy orekh" (Manchurian nut)
• An important component of the Manchurian mixed forest ecoregion, one of the most biodiverse temperate forest ecosystems in the world
• Long cultivated in northeastern China for nuts and timber

A large, imposing deciduous tree with a broad, open crown.

Bark:
• Gray to dark gray, developing deep longitudinal fissures with age
• Similar in texture to Black Walnut bark

Leaves:
• Alternate, pinnately compound, 40 to 80 cm long — exceptionally long even for a walnut
• 9 to 19 leaflets, each lanceolate, 8 to 18 cm long, finely serrated
• Dark green above, paler and slightly hairy beneath
• Aromatic when crushed
• Turn golden-yellow in autumn

Flowers:
• Monoecious — male and female flowers on the same tree
• Male flowers in pendulous catkins, 8 to 15 cm long
• Female flowers in small terminal clusters of 5 to 10
• Wind-pollinated in late spring

Fruit:
• Nuts borne in clusters of 5 to 10 — unusual for walnuts, which typically produce 1 to 3
• Nuts small (2 to 4 cm), elongated, with extremely thick, deeply ridged shells
• Shell ridges resemble dragon scales — hence the common name Dragon Walnut
• Kernel is small, richly flavored, and high in oil
• Green husk is thin and slightly sticky

Form:
• 20 to 30 meters tall with trunk diameter 50 to 100 cm
• Crown broad, open, somewhat irregular
• Long compound leaves create a tropical appearance despite the cold-hardy nature

The Manchurian Walnut is an important tree in the diverse temperate forests of East Asia.

Habitat:
• Found in mixed deciduous forests of the Manchurian region
• Prefers deep, moist, fertile, well-drained soils in valley bottoms and on lower slopes
• Adapted to extreme cold — among the most cold-hardy of all Juglans species
• Grows in a region with winter temperatures reaching -40 degrees Celsius

Ecological interactions:
• Nuts are an important food for squirrels, wild boar, bears, and various birds
• Part of the rich biodiversity of the Manchurian mixed forest ecoregion
• Supports numerous insect species adapted to Juglans foliage
• Produces juglone, which influences the composition of the understory plant community

Growth:
• Moderate growth rate of 30 to 50 cm per year
• Long-lived, surviving 100 to 200+ years
• Develops a deep taproot
• Sprouts from the base when damaged

A cold-hardy walnut suitable for northern climates.

Site selection:
• Full sun
• Deep, fertile, well-drained soils
• Very cold-hardy — suitable for climates too harsh for most other walnuts
• Allow ample space for the large mature crown

Planting:
• Plant seedlings or grafted trees in spring
• Deep taproot makes transplanting difficult — use small, container-grown plants

Care:
• Water during the first few growing seasons
• Drought-tolerant once established
• Minimal pruning needed
• Generally pest-resistant in cultivation
• Hardy to USDA zones 3 to 7 (survives -40 degrees Celsius)

The Manchurian Walnut is valued for both timber and nuts in its native range.

Timber:
• Wood is similar to Black Walnut — rich, dark, beautifully grained
• Used for fine furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, and decorative veneer in China and Russia
• An important commercial timber species in northeastern China
• Wood is highly valued and increasingly scarce in native forests

Edible nuts:
• Small but intensely flavored kernels, high in oil and protein
• Used in Chinese cooking and traditional confections
• Nut oil used as a gourmet cooking oil
• Commercially harvested in northeastern China

Ornamental:
• Striking long compound leaves give a tropical effect
• Golden-yellow fall color
• Suitable for large landscapes in cold climates

Traditional medicine:
• Bark and green husks used in traditional Chinese medicine
• Used for digestive complaints, skin conditions, and as an anti-inflammatory
• Juglone extracted for its antifungal and antiparasitic properties